Ecuador Captures ‘Fito’, Nation’s Most Wanted Gang Leader

Ecuador's most wanted fugitive, Jose Adolfo Macias aka “Fito”, leader of the Los Choneros gang, was recaptured after 18 months on the run, President Daniel Noboa announced. Macias had escaped from Guayaquil prison in January 2024 while serving a 34-year sentence. His escape triggered nationwide chaos, including riots, bombings, and a prosecutor's assassination. He will now be extradited to the U.S. on drug and weapons charges. The U.S. and Ecuador had sanctioned Macias and his gang. Ecuador, once peaceful, has become a hotspot for drug trafficking due to its location and gang violence fueled by international criminal networks.